American voters oppose same-sex marriage 55 - 36 percent, but they don't want government to get
involved in banning the practice, according to a Quinnipiac University national poll released today.
Democrats support same-sex marriage by a narrow 47 - 43 percent margin, while Republicans oppose
it 80 - 14 percent and independent voters oppose it 49 - 43 percent.

Voters also say 50 - 44 percent that states should not give legal recognition to same-sex
marriages performed in other states, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll
finds. Given three choices, 32 percent of American voters say same-sex couples should be allowed to
marry while 33 percent support civil unions for same-sex couples and 29 percent say there should be
no legal recognition for same-sex couples.

By a narrow 49 - 45 percent margin, voters nationwide say their states should not attempt to
ban same-sex marriage.

"American voters oppose same-sex marriage and they don't want to recognize same-sex
marriages performed in other states, but by a narrow margin, they don't want their states to ban it,"
said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "And they don't want to
amend the Constitution on this issue.
"Given a range of choices, they divide into thirds - for gay marriage, for civil unions, for a
complete ban."

Looking at the U.S. Supreme Court and social issues, American voters narrowly disapprove
43 - 39 percent of the job the Court is doing, the lowest rating in five years of Quinnipiac University
surveys on the Court and the first time the Court has received a negative score. Voters say 42 - 33
percent that the Supreme Court is moving in the wrong direction.

While 33 percent of voters say the Court is "about right," 25 percent say it is too liberal and 31
percent say it is too conservative.

A total of 87 percent say a President's power to appoint Supreme Court justices is "very
important" or "somewhat important" in their vote this November.

By a 63 - 33 percent margin, American voters support the 1973 Roe v Wade decision. But
Americans remain divided on the issue of abortion:

American voters favor the death penalty 63 - 29 percent for persons convicted of murder, but
when offered a different choice, 47 percent favor the death penalty for convicted murderers while 44
percent favor life without parole.

By a 55 - 38 percent margin, voters favor the death penalty for a person convicted of raping a
child. Women and men are consistent in their support.

American voters support 53 - 41 percent giving money to faith-based organizations to help
them run social programs. But voters say 77 - 16 percent groups which receive federal funds can not
discriminate by hiring only members of their own faith.

"Most Republicans are leery of gun control; most Democrats are for it, but nobody wants a
Constitutional amendment to ban guns," Carroll said. "Should President Bush's support of federal
money for faith-based organizations survive his time in the White House? A small majority think so,
more Democrats than Republicans," Carroll said.

From July 8 -13, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,783 voters nationwide, with a margin of
error of +/- 2.3 percentage points.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public opinion
surveys in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio and nationwide as a
public service and for research.
For more data -- http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling.xml, or call (203) 582-5201.

13. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the United States Supreme Court is
handling its job?

20. The next President may have the opportunity to make several nominations to the
Supreme Court. How important is the appointment of Supreme Court Justices in your
vote for President this year - very important, somewhat important, or not important
at all?

TREND: The next President may have the opportunity to make several nominations to the
Supreme Court. How important is the appointment of Supreme Court Justices in your
vote for President this* year - very important, somewhat important, or not important
at all? * 8/16/07 = "next" year

Jul 17 Aug 16
2008 2007
Very important 48 52
Somewhat important 39 36
Not important at all 12 11
DK/NA 1 2

21. Do you think the Supreme Court is too liberal, too conservative, or about right?

23. Which comes closer to your point of view?
A) In making decisions, the Supreme Court should only consider the original
intentions of the authors of the Constitution or
B) In making decisions, the Supreme Court should consider changing times and current
realities in applying the principles of the Constitution?

TREND: Which comes closer to your point of view?:
A) In making decisions, the Supreme Court should only consider the original
intentions of the authors of the Constitution or
B) In making decisions, the Supreme Court should consider changing times and current
realities in applying the principles of the Constitution. * All Adults

27. Which would you prefer? Do you think same-sex couples should be allowed legally
to marry, should be allowed legally to form civil unions but not marry, or should not
be allowed to obtain legal recognition of their relationships?

34. (Split Sample A) The Supreme Court has recently ruled that a mandatory death
penalty for child rape is unconstitutional. Do you favor or oppose the death penalty
for persons convicted of child rape?